Film for gas discharge and bag made from the same

ABSTRACT

A film for gas discharge includes an inner film member, an outer film member, adhesive for securing the inner and outer film members together, an inlet through the inner film member, an outlet in the adhesive adjacent to ends of the inner and outer film members, a release member between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve on the release member. The valve may close the release member to block a passage from the inlet to the outlet or open the release member to unblock the passage. A bag made from the film for gas discharge is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to bags and more particularly to a film for gas discharge and a bag made from the films for gas discharge.

2. Description of Related Art

Coffee beans are typically packaged in a bag such as plastic bag. Coffee beans may exhale to accumulate gas in the bag. Thus, the bag may expand and even explode due to gas expansion. Further, the inflated bag may hinder storage or delivery due to increased space. Thus, many inventors have thought how to solve the problem.

A conventional bag 90 is shown in FIG. 7 and includes a check valve 91 for allowing gas in the bag 90 to pass through to expel. External air and pollutants are prevented from entering the bag 90 via the check valve 91.

While the check valve 91 is good in its claimed function, its complicated components, time consuming assembly, and low production hinder its success in the market.

Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a film for gas discharge comprising an inner film member; an outer film member; adhesive for securing the inner and outer film members together; an inlet disposed through the inner film member; an outlet disposed in the adhesive adjacent to ends of the inner and outer film members; a release member disposed between the inlet and the outlet; and a valve formed of non-adhesive plastic and disposed on the release member; wherein the valve is configured to close the release member to block a passage from the inlet to the outlet or open the release member to unblock the passage.

Preferably, the outlet is a hole.

Preferably, the inlet is a hole.

Preferably, the release member is formed of release agent and disposed between the outer film member and the adhesive.

Preferably, the release member is formed of release agent and disposed between the inner film member and the adhesive.

Preferably, the outer film member is formed of polyester, and the inner film member is a stack of aluminum (AL) layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and hot adhesive layer made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or polypropylene (PP).

Preferably, the outer film member is a stack of polyester layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and aluminum (AL) layer, and the inner film member is a hot adhesive layer made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or polypropylene (PP).

It is another object of the invention to provide a bag including two films secured together, at least one of the films being a film for gas discharge, the film for gas discharge comprising an inner film member; an outer film member; adhesive for securing the inner and outer film members together; an inlet disposed through the inner film member; an outlet disposed in the adhesive adjacent to ends of the inner and outer film members; a release member disposed between the inlet and the outlet; and a valve formed of non-adhesive plastic and disposed on the release member; wherein the valve is configured to close the release member to block a passage from the inlet to the outlet when an internal pressure of the bag is less than a predetermine pressure or open the release member to unblock the passage when the internal pressure of the bag is greater than the predetermine pressure.

Preferably, the outlet is a hole.

Preferably, the inlet is a hole.

Preferably, the release member is formed of release agent and disposed between the outer film member and the adhesive.

Preferably, the release member is formed of release agent and disposed between the inner film member and the adhesive.

Preferably, the outer film member is formed of polyester, and the inner film member is a stack of aluminum (AL) layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and hot adhesive layer made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or polypropylene (PP).

Preferably, the outer film member is a stack of polyester layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and aluminum (AL) layer, and the inner film member is a hot adhesive layer made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or polypropylene (PP).

Drawbacks of the conventional art including complicated components, time consuming assembly, and low production are eliminated by the invention.

The invention has the advantages of being mass produced, no additional assembly, and a bag or part thereof being made from the film for gas discharge.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a film for gas discharge according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a plan view of the formed film for gas discharge;

FIG. 1C is a sectional view taken along line 1C-1C of FIG. 1B where the valve is closed;

FIG. 1D is a view similar to FIG. 1C showing a channel formed by the open valve;

FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the film for gas discharge wound into a roll;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bag formed by the films for gas discharge;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a film for gas discharge according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of a film for gas discharge according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a plan view of the formed film for gas discharge;

FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along line 4C-4C of FIG. 4B where the valve is closed;

FIG. 4D is a view similar to FIG. 4C showing a channel formed by the open valve;

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the film for gas discharge wound into a roll;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bag formed by the films for gas discharge;

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of a film for gas discharge according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B is a plan view of the formed film for gas discharge;

FIG. 6C is a sectional view taken along line 6C-6C of FIG. 6B where the valve is closed;

FIG. 6D is a view similar to FIG. 6C showing a channel formed by the open valve;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1E, a film for gas discharge 100 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

An inner film member 11 and an outer film member 12 are secured together by adhesive 10. The film for gas discharge 100 includes an inlet 111 shaped a circular hole (or a plurality holes in other embodiments), an outlet 121 at an end of the inner film member 11 (see FIG. 1C), a release member 13 disposed in the adhesive 10 and between the inlet 111 and the outlet 121, and a valve 14 on the release member 13 adjacent to the inlet 111.

In the first preferred embodiment, the release member 13 is made of release agent or any of similar materials. The release member 13 is disposed between the inner film member 11 and the adhesive 10.

In the first preferred embodiment, the outer film member 12 is made of polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the inner film member 11 is a stack of aluminum (AL) layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and hot adhesive layer made of Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or polypropylene (PP).

In another first preferred embodiment, the outer film member 12 is a stack of polyester (e.g., PET) layer, PE layer, and AL layer, and the inner film member 11 is a hot adhesive layer made of LLDPE or PP.

In the first preferred embodiment, the film for gas discharge 100 is produced by a machine and wound into a roll (see FIG. 1E). The roll facilitates storage, delivery and mass production.

Referring to FIG. 2, a bag 200 produced either completely by a plurality of films for gas discharge 100 or by some films for gas discharge 100 and other components is shown. However, the manufacture of the bag 200 is not the subject of the invention and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. Only the manufacture of the film for gas discharge 100 is discussed in detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E and FIG. 2 again, the inner film member 11 is an inner layer of the bag 200 and the outer film member 12 is an outer layer (i.e., outer surface) of the bag 200. The film for gas discharge 100 is shaped as that shown in FIG. 1C when internal pressure of the bag 200 is less than a predetermine pressure. The valve 14 is closed to block (i.e., close) the release member 13. Food (e.g., coffee beans) stored in the bag 200 may generate gas to expand the bag 200 by breathing. Internal pressure of the bag 200 thus increases. A channel 131 is formed and the valve 14 disengages from the release member 13 when the internal pressure of the bag 200 is greater than the predetermine pressure. Thus, gas in the bag 200 may enter the channel 131 via the inlet 11 and finally leave the bag 200 via the outlet 121 as indicated by arrows of FIG. 1D. The bag 200 returns to the state of FIG. 1C when the internal pressure of the bag 200 is less than the predetermine pressure. In the closed state of the bag 200, the release member 13 is blocked by the valve 14, thereby preventing external gas and pollutants from entering the bag 200. In the first preferred embodiment, the valve 14 is formed of rubber or acrylic.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1E again, the inlet 111 of the film for gas discharge 100 corresponds to the release member 13 (or a plurality of release members 13 in other embodiments).

Referring to FIG. 3, a film for gas discharge 300 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following: The inlet 111 of the film for gas discharge 300 corresponds to two release members 13 each having a valve 14 and an outlet 121. The valve 14 is shaped as a ring around the inlet 111 and further disposed on the release members 13. The valve 14 is an integral member.

The outlets 121 of the film for gas discharge 300 are at edges of the inner film member 11 and pressed by the outer film member 12. Alternatively, the outlets 121 may be provided on the outer film member 12 in other embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4E, a film for gas discharge 400 in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment such as the inner film member 11, the outer film member 12, the inlet 111, the outlet 121, the release member 13, the valve 14, and the adhesive 10 except the following:

The outlet 121 is provided through the adhesive 10 and the outer film member 12. The outlet 121 is a through hole and adjacent to the release member 13.

Referring to FIG. 5, a bag 700 produced either completely by a plurality of films for gas discharge 400 or by some films for gas discharge 400 and other components is shown.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4E and FIG. 5 again, the inner film member 11 is an inner layer of the bag 700 and the outer film member 12 is an outer layer (i.e., outer surface) of the bag 700. In comparison with the outlet 121 at an edge of the inner film member 11 and pressed by the outer film member 12 of FIG. 2, the outlet 121 is provided through the adhesive 10 and the outer film member 12. The film for gas discharge 400 is shaped as that shown in FIG. 4C when internal pressure of the bag 700 is less than a predetermine pressure. The valve 14 is closed to block (i.e., close) the release member 13. Food (e.g., coffee beans) stored in the bag 700 may generate gas to expand the bag 700 by breathing. Internal pressure of the bag 700 thus increases. A channel 131 is formed and the valve 14 disengages from the release member 13 when the internal pressure of the bag 700 is greater than the predetermine pressure. Thus, gas in the bag 700 may enter the channel 131 via the inlet 11 and finally leave the bag 700 via the outlet 121 as indicated by arrows of FIG. 4D. The bag 700 returns to the state of FIG. 4C when the internal pressure of the bag 700 is less than the predetermine pressure. In the closed state of the bag 700, the release member 13 is blocked by the valve 14, thereby preventing external gas and pollutants from entering the bag 700.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6D, a film for gas discharge 600 in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the fourth preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following:

The release member 13 is sandwiched by the outer film member 12 and the adhesive 10 which is also partially sandwiched by the outer film member 12 and the inner film member 11. The valve 14 is sandwiched by the release member 13 and the adhesive 10. The inlet 111 is through the inner film member 11 and the adhesive 10 to terminate at the outer film member 12. The outlet 121 is at an end of the release member 13. The inlet 111 of the film for gas discharge 600 corresponds to the release member 13 (or a plurality of release members 13 in other embodiments). The release member 13 corresponds to a valve 14. The valve 14 may be shaped as a ring around the inlet 111 in other embodiments. The outlet 121 is provided at end of the inner film member 11 or the outer film member 12. Alternatively, the outlet 121 may be provided on the outer film member 12.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A film for gas discharge of a bag, comprising: an inner film member; an outer film member; adhesive for securing the inner and outer film members together; an inlet formed on the inner film member; an outlet formed on the outer film member or between the inner and outer film members and adjacent to edges of the inner and outer film members; a release member having two distal ends directly connecting with the inlet and the outlet, respectively; and a valve connected on the release member when an internal pressure of the bag is less than a predetermine pressure, while the valve is not connected on the release member to form a passage between the inlet and the outlet along the release member when the internal pressure of the bag is greater than the predetermine pressure.
 2. The film for gas discharge of claim 1, wherein the outlet is a through hole.
 3. The film for gas discharge of claim 1, wherein the inlet is a through hole formed on the outer film.
 4. The film for gas discharge of claim 1, wherein the release member is formed of release agent and disposed between the outer film member and the adhesive.
 5. The film for gas discharge of claim 1, wherein the release member is formed of release agent and disposed between the inner film member and the adhesive.
 6. The film for gas discharge of claim 1, wherein the outer film member is formed of polyester, and the inner film member is a stack of aluminum (AL) layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and hot adhesive layer.
 7. The film for gas discharge of claim 1, wherein the outer film member is a stack of polyester layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and aluminum (AL) layer, and the inner film member is a hot adhesive layer.
 8. A bag including two films secured together, at least one of the films being a film for gas discharge, the film for gas discharge comprising: an inner film member; an outer film member; adhesive for securing the inner and outer film members together; an inlet formed on the inner film member; an outlet formed on the outer film member or between the inner and outer film members and adjacent to edges of the inner and outer film members; a release member having two distal ends directly connecting with the inlet and the outlet, respectively; and a valve connected on the release member when an internal pressure of the bag is less than a predetermine pressure, while the valve is not connected on the release member to form a passage formed between the inlet and the outlet along the release member when the internal pressure of the bag is greater than the predetermine pressure.
 9. The bag of claim 8, wherein the outlet is a through hole.
 10. The bag of claim 8, wherein the inlet is a through hole formed on the outer film.
 11. The bag of claim 8, wherein the release member is formed of release agent and disposed between the outer film member and the adhesive.
 12. The bag of claim 8, wherein the release member is formed of release agent and disposed between the inner film member and the adhesive.
 13. The bag of claim 8, wherein the outer film member is formed of polyester, and the inner film member is a stack of aluminum (AL) layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and hot adhesive layer.
 14. The bag of claim 8, wherein the outer film member is a stack of polyester layer, polyethylene (PE) layer, and aluminum (AL) layer, and the inner film member is a hot adhesive layer.
 15. The bag of claim 8, wherein the valve formed of a pressure sensitive adhesive. 